Scuba diving in Aruba
Scuba diving is one of the main reasons divers come to Aruba, and the Antilla is the dive most people plan around. It is a German freighter scuttled at the start of World War II, and it is often called the largest shipwreck dive in the Caribbean. Reefs off the island add coral and sea life to the day.
Places to go
Arashi Beach
Arashi Beach is a calm, shallow stretch of white sand on Aruba's northwestern coast, near the California Lighthouse. A reef lies about 150 meters offshore, and it is known for snorkeling and diving.
Antilla Shipwreck
The Antilla is a scuttled German freighter lying off Malmok Beach on Aruba's west coast. Snorkelers and divers reach it by catamaran, and the wreck is one of the largest in the Caribbean.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
What to expect
Most divers reach the Antilla by boat from dive centers on the island. Two-tank certified trips and discover-scuba trips both run about four to five hours in total, with boat time included. Night dives on the wreck are also offered. The Antilla is about 400 feet long, and much of the ship is still intact. Divers can explore corridors, rooms and cargo holds, and see the porthole and deck fittings. Tube sponges, coral, tropical fish, shrimp, lobsters and orange anemones cover the wreck.
Beginners can start in the shallow sections of the wreck, and experienced divers can go to deeper areas. Tips for the site advise diving with a guide, staying in groups and respecting marine life. The island's reefs offer coral and sea life for divers too, and a resort course is available for those who want to get certified during a stay.
Where to go
- Arashi reef. A coral reef about 150 meters offshore, known for diving as well as snorkeling.
Getting there
Dive centers run trips to the Antilla by boat, and the wreck is about 20 minutes one way. Operators usually collect divers from their base, so check the pickup point when you book.
When to go
Diving is possible year-round. October to January is the rainy season, when freshwater runoff and currents can reduce visibility.
Good to know
- Bring your certification card if you plan a certified dive on the wreck.
- Dive with a guide and stay in your group, as the site guidance advises.
- Spearfishing is not allowed in Aruba, except for invasive lionfish.
- Plan the dive around the boat schedule, since trips run four to five hours including boat time.
Questions
Can I go scuba diving in Aruba if I am not certified?
Yes. A discover-scuba dive is offered for people without a certification card. It is an introductory dive with a guide, and the Antilla has shallow areas suited to beginners.
What is the Antilla wreck?
The Antilla is a German freighter scuttled at the start of World War II. It is about 400 feet long, much of it is still intact, and it is often called the largest shipwreck dive in the Caribbean.
When is the best time to dive in Aruba?
Diving is possible year-round. Visibility can be lower from October to January, when rainy-season runoff and currents affect the water, so plan for that if your dates fall then.
